Gina

Gina U. is a 34-year-old married mother of three. One of her children is in primary school and two attend high school. Her husband is a fisherman. To earn money, Gina runs a sari sari store.

"Sari sari" is Tagalog for "various kinds." Sari sari shops sell an array of basic foodstuffs, beverages, and everyday commodities. The stores are usually operated out of the owner's home, are neighborhood watering holes, and sell items in small units -- single cigarettes, for example. Sari sari shops fill an important economic and social niche in Filipino life, especially in rural areas.

Gina began her sari sari store after hearing her neighbors complain they had to travel too far to buy basic items. Now that she's established, she'd like to begin selling soft drinks and gasoline from her store as well. She plans to use the money from this loan to buy more inventory for her shop, and hopes to have enough income to help her husband buy a new fishing boat.

Additional Information

About ASHI

Ahon Sa Hirap, Inc. has the distinction of being the oldest existing replication of Grameen methodology for delivering credit to the poor in the Philippines. With more than a third of the nation’s 90 million Filipinos living below the poverty line, ASHI was established with the vision of helping to alleviate poverty in the Philippines. Translated from Tagalog, Ahon Sa Hirap means “to rise above poverty.”

Empowering women dedicated to supporting their families through hard work and dedication, ASHI lends 100% to women and specifically the bottom 50%, so the “poorest of the poor.” In addition to general business loans, ASHI also offers educational loans, house repair loans, savings funds, and social development programs for its members. ASHI is committed to translating its social mission into practice.